Buffalo Triathlon Updates

(6-3-10)

WATER TEMPERATURE
The water temperature of Buffalo Lake was 67 degrees on Wednesday morning. We expect it to be close to 70 raceday with the recent sun, but final temp on raceday is highly dependant on how much wind we have on Saturday. It is forecasted to be partly sunny and breezy with a high of 72 degrees both Saturday and Sunday.

RACE BRIEFING EMAIL SENT OUT WEDNESDAY
All registered racers were sent a detailed race briefing on Wednesday morning, June 2nd. Please check your spam email if you did not yet find it in your inbox, only half have been opened to date. Please note that all racers are still required to be present for the race briefing raceday at 8:15 at the bandshell.

SAME DAY REGISTRATION AVAILABLE THIS YEAR
We will be taking a limited number of same day registrations on Sunday, but cannot guarantee a T-shirt for those registrants. We recommend that anyone wishing to register on raceday arrive prior to 7am.

(6-1-10)

PRACTICE SWIM IS TODAY AT 7PM (6/1/10)
Any athlete seeking practice in open water and preview of the race start situation and water conditions is encouraged to come join 100 or so fellow athletes to swim any portion of the buoy line at Sturges Park this evening. Elsmore Swim will be on site with wetsuit rentals for the race. We will not be swimming the exact course, but the entry and initial buoys will be the same as raceday.


(5-26-10)

RACE SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE
We still have over 100 spots available for the 7th annual 2010 Buffalo Triathlon. We are extending registration beyond the previously announced May 31 deadline and will be taking registrations up until midnight on Thursday, June 3. Please note that those registering beyond May 31 will not be included on the final participant list on the website, and we cannot guarantee a T-shirt for those registrants. We will also be taking a limited number of race day registrations.

WATER TEMP RISING RAPIDLY
The water temperature of Buffalo Lake is rising rapidly due to the record breaking 90+ degree May temps. Surface temps on recent calm days have been above 80 degrees. Water temp on raceday is expected to be above 70 degrees. We will post a temperature reading next week taken during the Tues night practice swim on June 1st.

OVER $18,000 IN PRIZES SET TO BE AWARDED
Once again, Buffalo Triathlon is committed to recognizing top elite athletes with a cash purse and providing top quality race gear for age group winners. As last year, we will have 5 year age categories, and will continue to award all age group winners with prizes valued at a minimum of $100 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third. Our elite purse consists of $1000 for each 1st place male and female, $500 each for 2nd place, and $250 each for 3rd place.

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

Over 400 volunteers help provide a world class experience to Buffalo Triathletes, and this year we are still seeking at least 100 volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, from the registration table to all areas of the course to take down and cleanup. If anyone you know is willing to commit to a particular task, please have them sign up with Jill Hanson via the Volunteer sidebar to the left ASAP. All volunteers receive a T-shirt, lanyard, and BBQ meal.

CLOTHING STORE NOW ONLINE

A variety of Buffalo Triathlon logo gear items are now available for purchase online at our clothing store. You can visit the clothing store by clicking here. Many items will be available to try on and purchase at packet pickup and at the expo area on raceday also.

BUFFALO TRIATHLON, FIRST WAVE
Many racers have had question as to how the wave start to the Buffalo Triathlon works. Waves of approx. 50 racers will be launched every two minutes starting at 9am. The first wave will be elite racers only, followed by the Olympic course athletes, youngest to oldest, then Teams, then Sprint athletes, youngest to oldest. We have found that this, while it does mean some faster swimmers will pass younger, slower ones, minimizes congestion in the water. Olympic swimmers are past the first sprint turn buoy before Sprint swimmers arrive. Waves have been assigned and will be posted on the participant list. Sample start times are as follows: 9:00 Wave 1 Elite, 9:02 Wave 2 Oly youth, 9:10 Wave 6 Oly 38y/o, 9:16 Wave 9 Teams, 9:30 Wave 16 Sprint 34y/o, 9:40 Wave 21 Sprint 38y/o, 9:48 Wave 25 Sprint 55+y/o.

(5-24-10)
Bike Giveaway Open to All Participants

Buffalo Triathlon has teamed up with Maple Grove Cycling to give all racers a chance to win a 2010 Trek Madone 4.5 full carbon bike valued at $2000. The drawing will take place following the awards ceremony. All racers are automatically entered in the drawing, however, you must be present to win. The winner will claim the bike at Maple Grove Cycling to ensure proper sizing and fit.

(4-24-10)

BIKE COURSE REMAINS THE SAME

The reconstruction of CR 12 has been delayed until after the 2010 Buffalo Triathlon. Racers this year will have one more chance to enjoy the moguls of Montrose Blvd. Construction will still be in progress for next year's race, so there will be a new short and long bike course for 2011. Thereafter we will enjoy a brand new road with extra wide shoulders and a bike path!

WATER TEMP RECORD WARM FOR APRIL

With an early ice-out and a warm early spring, Buffalo Lake is warming up nicely. Water temp reading will be posted here with the late May update. We anticipate raceday temp to be near 70 degrees, or possibly above if the warm weather continues. Buffalo Triathlon is pleased to be sponsored again this year by www.wetsuitrental.com, and recommends racers without wetsuits considering renting one. Please visit their website which has a wealth of information about wetsuits. In summary: Increased speed, warmth, and safety are but a few of the advantages of wearing a made-for-triathlon wetsuit in an open water swim. Triathlon wetsuits are designed for maximum buoyancy and total range of motion in the arms, but of course their biggest advantage is that they keep you warm! Wetsuits are not required for either course, but are strongly recommended for the long course. Also this year, we will have a new sponsor, Elsmore Swim Shop, on site renting wetsuits at the practice swim, scheduled for the Tuesday evening before the race at 7pm. Elsmore Swim has opened a new store in Minnetonka May 1st, but will be onsite to rent suits at the practice swim and collect them at the race for those who prefer the convenience. Elsmore is offering a discount to all Buffalo Triathlon participants on wetsuit rental.

CHRIS LEGH RETURNING TO DEFEND TITLE

Two time Ironman champion, six time Australian national champion, and defending Buffalo Triathlon champion Chris Legh will be returning to race in Buffalo this year. Chris will be available at packet pickup at Gold Gym on Saturday to meet and greet athletes and sign autographs.

VOLUNTEER CONTEST NEW FOR 2010

New this year, volunteers at each of the five aid stations will be competing for prizes in best theme, costumes, music and energy level! Racers will be voting by crowd response at the award ceremony for their favorite. Gather your creative friends and family and sign them up for an aid station! Contact Jill at
jills2fast4u@yahoo.com for more information and to volunteer. Volunteers are always needed and will receive our newly re-designed volunteer graphic T-shirt and a post-race meal.

WE ARE NOW ON FACEBOOK

Buffalo Triathlon now has a facebook page. It is open to all to post comments, photos, connect with other racers, and invite friends to the event. We have also started discussion boards for finding team members for those wishing to participate on either a two person or three person team.

The Buffalo Tri Club has over 100 members and has been meeting for group swims, bikes, and runs several days per week. Check out their facebook page for notifications of group events.

(10-20-09)

WEBSITE UPDATE
We have acquired a new webhost company and webmaster for this website and are making plans for some re-design of the website and more timely updates to make it even more user friendly. We continue to archive all past race news, results, and photos and encourage you to explore these areas of the website.

CLOTHING SALES
The race logo gear which was available online through the website this past summer will be back on-line for purchase starting May 1st and continue through July 31, 2010

BUFFALO TRIATHLON CLUB
Newly formed this year, the Buffalo Tri Club is now open to all triathletes wishing to join in on group training and special events. Sign up on facebook (search groups for Buffalo Tri Club) now to receive updates on our first training sessions, anticipated to begin in early January. There will be weekly indoor group swims, bikes, and runs at Golds Gym in Buffalo for all tri club members. Membership is free. Non-Golds Gym members will be able to buy limited access passes for the pool, indoor track, and spin-cycle sessions. Tri Club race jerseys and shorts will be available for purchase in the spring.

BIKE COURSE CHANGE POSSIBLE
Wright County is planning major re-construction of CR12 around the south side of Buffalo Lake (the section we currently refer to as 'the moguls'). Great news for 2011, at which time we will have all new pavement and new wide shoulders, but it may require re-routing of the bike courses for 2010. Due to land acquisition issues, etc, it is possible that the project will get delayed beyond June 6th and that the bike courses will remain unchanged. If a new bike course is used, it will be flatter than the current course. We should know details by March 1st and will be posting it on this website.

2010 RACE REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2010 Buffalo Triathlon opens Dec 1st. We anticipate the race filling to capacity of 1500 racers as it has the past 3 years. Registration is online only on active.com.

To visit the Buffalo Tri Club facebook page, click here.